December 2015 Update

Beaver County Council continues to explore the feasibility of the Bathgate waterline north of Ryley. The County held an Open House on November 30 to inform interested residents of the status of the project and present various options.

If you were unable to attend the Open House or have not yet provided your comments on the options, we encourage you to complete and submit a comment form. You may print and return it to the County by mail (Box 140, Ryley) or fax (780-663-3602), or fill it out on-line and submit it electronically to administration@beaver.ab.ca.

The deadline for submission of comments is December 23, 2015. Council will consider the feedback before determining how to proceed.

Please contact the County's Director of Public Works, Darby Dietz, at the County Office at 780-663-3730 if you require additional information.

November 2015 Update

The County will be holding an Open House on November 30, 2015 to inform interested residents of the status of the Bathgate Waterline Project and present various options for the project.

Council is interested in your opinion regarding these options and any other feasible alternatives.

The Open House will be held at the Ryley Community Hall between 5 pm and 7:30 pm. There will be no formal presentation; rather Council and staff will be available to discuss the options and gather your feedback.

Click here for a project update.Click here for the preliminary design route.

September 2015 Update

At the September 2, 2015 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council reviewed the status of the Bathgate Waterline project and projected finances.

The County was unsuccessful in its application for a grant under the Building Canada Fund. This means that no external funding or grants are available for this project at this time. With cost estimates of between $3.5 million and $4 million, without such funding, it will be very difficult for the County and landowners to afford this project.

The Committee of the Whole directed staff to prepare for an Open House in November to discuss the project with affected landowners. The date, time, and location of the meeting will be posted on the County's website and in the Chronicle.

March 2015 Update

Rural water quality in the area north of the Village of Ryley is less than desirable for domestic consumption. Landowners haul potable water from a truckfill station in the Village or purchase bottled water.

The Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission owns and operates a waterline throughout the County, including an extension 2.8 kilometres (1.75 miles) north of Ryley.

As a result of the significant efforts of the Bathgate Water Coop (a group of local farmers and rural residents), funding has been secured to assist with the engineering costs of the project. Beaver Municipal Solutions will partner with the Regional Water Services Commission to install a booster station on NW 3-50-17-W4 at Township Road 502. From there, if funding is secured, the waterline will be constructed within road rights-of-way to various landowners in the area.

For further information, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below or contact the County's Director of Public Works, Darby Dietz, at ddietz@beaver.ab.ca or 780-663-3730.

Area landowners are requested to register their interest in connecting to the waterline by completing a questionnaire. This questionnaire will be used to design the final route. Please return it to Beaver County no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is involved in the Project?

The Bathgate Waterline Project consists of the construction of a booster station adjacent to Township Road 502, north of NW 10-50-17-W4, and the extension of the regional waterline from the booster station to various properties north of Ryley. The Project also includes the extension of the waterline from Highway 14, north along Range Road 175.

The waterline will be sized to allow for expansion in the future.

What is the route of the proposed waterline?

One of the possible routes is shown here. This route may be expanded to accommodate additional properties or may be adjusted due to funding limitations or opportunities. The County will work with the Bathgate Water Coop to design a cost-effective route.

Who are the partners in the Project?

Beaver County will be the owner of the waterline and will tender for a qualified contractor. The County has retained Amec Foster Wheeler as the design and construction engineers.

Beaver Municipal Solutions will contract the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission to construct a booster station on NW 10-50-17-W4 and extend the waterline from its shop to Township Road 502. The regional waterline extension will begin at Township Road 502.

How will the project be paid for?

The design costs are approximately $210,000. The County has received a Provincial grant of $67,500 to assist with these costs, and will use a grant from Clean Harbors to pay for the balance.

An estimate of the construction cost at this time is $6 million. The County has applied for a Federal/Provincial grant to fund up to 66% of the project cost and will seek other funding sources if the project moves forward.

Will I have to pay some of the construction cost?

The County has not determined how the balance of the project will be funded. It will apply for other grants that become available and will use the Clean Harbors’ grant ($120,000 per year). The County may consider charging the benefitting landowners for a portion of the cost. Costs for all work on private property will be the responsibility of the land owner.

When will the County know if the project will proceed?

The County has not committed to the extension of the waterline at this time. It has hired the engineers to prepare a design so that the project can be tendered. The County has also applied for a Federal/Provincial grant to fund up to 66% of the project cost. The County should know by August whether its grant application is successful. At that time, it will determine whether the project will be tendered.

What is the construction time schedule?

The engineers are currently designing the waterline and will be recommending a proposed route to the County. Once a preliminary design report is complete, a second Open House will be held to finalize the route. The detailed design report is expected to be complete in July 2015.

If Council decides to tender the project, it will do so in July/August 2015 and if the project proceeds, construction may begin in October 2015 and be completed in April 2016.

Where will the waterline connect to my property?

The waterline will be extended to the edge of private property. The County’s engineers will work with each landowner to determine the most suitable location for the service connection. The waterline project contractor will install a meter vault in the road allowance and a short length of pipe on your property from which the landowner’s contractor may connect.

Who is responsible for providing service to my house?

Each landowner is responsible for the service connection on private property and may hire a contractor of his/her choice.

At what level of pressure will water be supplied to my house?

The waterline will be designed to provide a flow rate of 0.03 litres per second (0.5 gallon per minute) into a private cistern in the house. Minimum pressure into the house will be approximately 10 psi.

What is the cost of connecting my house to the waterline?

Besides the cost of the meter, service line, and the fittings, the connection cost will include trenching, therefore the final cost will vary depending on the distance from the service connection to the house. Landowners are advised to contact a qualified contractor for a price estimate. A Provincial Government grant is available to eligible rural landowners for 50% of the cost to a maximum of $5000. More information is available here.

If I don’t want to connect to the waterline now, can I connect later?

Connections may be made to the waterline after construction is completed.

Can I hire my own contractor?

A landowner may hire a contractor of his/her choice. A qualified contractor should be sought and landowners are advised to consult with the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission regarding specifications for the connection fitting.

Can I determine the route of the waterline through my property?

The County’s engineers will work with each landowner to determine the most suitable location for the service connection on your property. The landowner will have discretion regarding the route of the waterline from the service connection to the house.

Can I continue to use well/dugout water in addition to water from the waterline?

At the anticipated flow rate of 0.03 litres per second (0.5 gallon per minute), a private cistern is required in each house. Landowners are advised to consult with a qualified contractor and/or plumber regarding the supply of alternate sources of water. No connection between the two systems will be permitted.

Can I make payment arrangements for the cost of my property connection?

Landowners are responsible for the cost of connecting the service from the main waterline to his/her house. Payment arrangements must be made with the contractor.

Who is responsible for maintaining the waterline on my property?

Landowners are responsible for maintenance of the waterline on private property. The County will be responsible for maintenance of the waterline and the service connection on your property.